Wednesday, October 31, 2018 | By: purple taste

[2018] Solo Trip to Tokyo - Nagoya - Kyoto - Tokyo (Autumn) - Starting from Kinshicho

The trip started with a red eye flight on 30 Oct 2018, via ANA (All Nippon Airways). Realised that it was quite hard to fall asleep yet there's nothing for me to do since lights would be off soon after we took off. ANA has a night pack for passengers, which is essentially a bottle of drinking water, wet wipe and a cake.

Breakfast was served at about 5.30am. The plane was supposed to land in Tokyo by 8am. I'd choose the local breakfast, which was essentially porridge with salmon flakes and cold somen. As usual, there'd be cut fruits and yoghurt.

breakfast on ANA

Was worried of having cold noodles in the morning as that might wreak havoc in my sensitive tummy but it was unfounded. In fact, the cold noodles were refreshing!

cold somen for breakfast


おはよ


Then, the plane touched down at Narita. Felt good to be back in Japan, though at times, still felt a little awkward but I could navigate my way with the help of Google Map and Translation. Hahaa! Of course, I'm those type that needed to research like 100 times, and at the end, may decide not to proceed. =P

arrival


The necessary accommodations have been booked prior to arrival and typically, I used Agoda for that purpose. Flight is usually bought direct from the carrier. Got myself the Japan Rail Pass Ordinary 7D Pass for SGD342 at that time but will only activate it when I'm going from Tokyo to Nagoya.

So first things first, I needed to get to Kinshicho which is a new area that I have not stayed before. Took a normal train out of the airport and direct to Kinshicho.

no one


Stayed at Sotetsu Fresa Inn chain at Kinshicho, booked via Agoda for SGD146 (after 5% discount) for 2 nights from 31 Oct till 2 Nov 2018. This hotel is about 5 minutes walk from Kinshicho Station.

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kinshicho


shrine next to the hotel


hotel lobby

welcome coffee - self service

bath salt for the ladies


My room was at the 14th floor, and of city view.

searching for my room

Sotetsu Fresa Inn - Double Bed 12 m²


view from room


compact bathroom with a tub

Kose handwash

bath things

Bathroom was well equipped and the only thing that I was apprehensive about, is actually the shower curtain. Being alone in the room makes on imagine things and being behind a curtain, probably exerbated that fear by a bit. However, practically the shower curtain was a necessity to keep the water from splashing out to the floor.

work desk (and bath salts from downstairs)

things kept neatly

my morning things

when in Japan, drink tea

small table to snack on bed



Enough of the room, so I went around exploring the area. There's a Family Mart like next door to the hotel, so that was utmost convenient to get breakfast and whatever nots, when the hunger strikes,

feels like autumn

let's get some lunch

fried chicken? Yes please!

Famichiki~

juicy and hot


I didn't know it then, but the right etiquette was to purchase food that's on-the-go, and have it outside of the shop (unless they have on-site seats). So, there I was... standing outside of the convenience store by its side, and enjoying my hot chic. Hahaa!

Satisfied after having that snack, went walking around the neighbourhood to scout for other food shops. Hehe.

first time seeing a 'box' car (the driver waved at me since I was looking at his vehicle with much interest)

ramen shops seemed popular here

so retro

western food


And, I was happy to see Tokyo Skytree from where I was.


I see you, Tokyo Skytree

stopping to see other interesting things

looks walkable

looking at the flowers along the way




Pretty awesome to be looking at such an amazing structure.

Tokyo Skytree


Night view at the same location.




Dinner that night was a simple meal of oden, bought from Family Mart next door.

oden (5 items)

cheesy meatball!

wash it down with peach chuhi

dessert of sweet potato chips

so full



Read about Day 2 here.